Piano Moments: 100 Reflections That Can Make Your Life Better

By Mark Paulson and Sondra Paulson

Piano Moments is a collection of short stories that relate to the piano. The piano has played a significant role in my life ever since I was a child. Each person has special moments in their life that they will never be able to forget. These are some of the stories that I remember.

Each piano moment includes a Bible verse and life applications. Your life can become better if you will take the time to meditate on these reflections. While you are reading Piano Moments, try to remember stories in your life that are similar to the ones that I have shared. You do not need to be a pianist to understand and benefit from these piano moments. I am sure that you will be able to identify with these stories in one way or another.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Apr 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512735215

Mark Paulson

Mr. Paulson studied music for one year at Crown College in Minnesota. He received an associate of religious arts degree from Northeastern Bible College and a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Montclair State University. He has performed secular and sacred music as an entertainer and a church musician for over thirty-five years. Mr. Paulson teaches private piano lessons in his students’ homes in New Jersey. Some of his students are just beginning, while others are performing advanced repertoire. Piano Moments is Mr. Paulson’s second book. His first book is called God’s Cycle of Music: A Musician’s Explanation of God’s Purpose and Meaning for Our Lives. Mr. Paulson lives in West Orange, New Jersey. He is married to Sondra Paulson. Their three children are Marshall, Elliott, and Heidi. Sondra Paulson holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Montclair State University and a master’s of education degree from Gratz College. She has taught general and vocal music in public schools in New Jersey for almost thirty years. Sondra also has a successful career as a professional photographer. Many people use her photographs in books and magazines. Her photographs are for sale at www.istockphoto.com/SondraP. Sondra lives with her husband, Mark Paulson, in West Orange, New Jersey. They have three children: Marshall, Elliott, and Heidi.

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 Mark Paulson

Images by Sondra Paulson and Marshall Paulson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3520-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3522-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-3521-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016904600

WestBow Press rev. date: 04/13/2016

Contents

Acknowledgements

Endorsements

Introduction

1. Parents

2. Success

3. Be Prepared

4. Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

5. God's Plan for You

6. Memorable Gifts

7. Gray Hairs

8. Never Alone

9. The Harvest

10. God Is Watching

11. Rules

12. Teach Me

13. Different Interests

14. Wasted Time

15. Changing Directions

16. Serious Study

17. Acceptance

18. Ears to Hear

19. A Jealous God

20. Never Too Old to Learn

21. Knowing Where to Go

22. God Knows Everything

23. A Kind Word

24. Learning Something New

25. Accepting Criticism

26. Helping Others

27. Assistance

28. Breaking Bread

29. Lost Sheep

30. Praise Him with Strings

31. One Language

32. Sacrifices

33. Hope for Tomorrow

34. Children

35. Many Rooms

36. Time

37. Test Me

38. God's Children

39. Priceless Love

40. Finish the Race

41. Come as You Are

42. Music Therapy

43. Knock on the Door

44. A New Song

45. Favoritism

46. Disagreeing with My Teacher

47. Challenges

48. The Light of the World

49. Forgiveness

50. Buried Shoes

51. Practice

52. Brief Moments

53. Humility

54. Home

55. Accomplishments

56. Work with All Your Heart

57. Finding a Wife

58. The Announcement

59. Treasures

60. Laziness

61. Changing History

62. New Life

63. Unfading Beauty

64. Generosity

65. Fair Compensation

66. The Composer

67. Confidence

68. Guided by the Spirit

69. Power of the Grave

70. Unexpected Dreams

71. Sharing Your Faith

72. Self-Examination

73. A Jewish Christmas

74. Talents

75. Commitment

76. Returning Home

77. My Mother Died

78. Music in Heaven

79. Rewards

80. Different Gifts

81. Looking Back

82. Seeing What Others See

83. Seasons

84. Encourage One Another

85. The Big Hill

86. Blurry Music

87. More Than I Ask

88. Signed Certificates

89. Envy

90. Benefits

91. My Primary Goal

92. Getting Old

93. Friends and Admirers

94. Total Commitment

95. Regrets and Sadness

96. Virtues

97. See the Hands

98. Evaluations

99. Thankfulness

100. Piano Moments

The Final Reflection

About the Author

About the Photographer

Acknowledgements

Writing a book involves many individuals. I would like to thank the people who have helped to make this book possible.

Heather Rathnau and Dr. Connie Carson gave me excellent editorial advice. I must pay special recognition to Meagan Mason. She is the finest editor that a writer can have.

John E. Weis allowed my wife to take photographs of the spectacular instruments at the Steinway Piano Gallery in Paramus, New Jersey.

This book would not exist without all of the people whom I have described in these stories. These people have enhanced my life in many different ways.

A photograph of a worn out Bible is on the front cover of this book. This Bible belonged to my mother. She read this Bible every day. I will always be grateful for the many ways in which she influenced my life.

I want to thank WestBow Press for everything they did.

Finally, I want to thank my wife, Sondra Paulson, for her love and support. I also want to say that Piano Moments would not be complete without her beautiful photographs.

Endorsements

Piano Moments is an engaging devotional filled with short stories from the life of a Christian pianist. The skills taught through music study come alive in exciting life experiences---lessons on fear and grace, sacrifice and commitment, hard work and maturity, beauty and tranquility, not to mention donuts and Captain Silver, are intertwined with artistic, award-winning photographs and real-life applications. Musician or otherwise, take a moment and be blessed!

---Heather Rathnau, NCTM, Theory Time, Missouri City, Texas

Piano Moments offers refreshing, concise, and practical contemplations. It's a musical rendition of Our Daily Bread! Not written only for the musically adept, the book is an original compilation of photographs, stories, Bible verses, and practical questions that are relevant, thought-provoking, and inviting. It applies to the teacher, piano student, and music aficionado.

---Dr. Connie Carson, healthcare consultant

Piano Moments is a gem! Each story, filled with biblical wisdom, comes with appropriate Scriptures and thoughts for meditation. From Never Too Old to Learn to Disagreeing with My Teacher, the topics are chosen with care and direction. Whether you are a pianist or not, you will be blessed by the spiritual nuggets found in Piano Moments!

---Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh, executive director

of the Christian Performing Artists' Fellowship

I can think of a hundred reasons for you to use Mark Paulson's new resource, Piano Moments. Here you will find a hundred nuggets of inspiration to energize your joy for music and faith. Inside the cover are a hundred well crafted moments of grace to prepare your heart for a more meaningful sharing of your life song! Let the music begin!

---Joseph Martin, director of Sacred Publications

at Hal Leonard/Shawnee Press

Introduction

Piano Moments is a collection of short stories that relate to the piano. The piano has played a significant role in my life ever since I was a child. Each person has special moments in their life that they will never be able to forget. These are some of the stories that I remember.

Each piano moment includes a Bible verse and life applications. Your life can become better if you will take the time to meditate on these reflections. While you are reading Piano Moments, try to remember stories in your life that are similar to the ones that I have shared. I encourage you